Loading machine



Search Room y 1942- M. s. MOORE 2,290,480

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July 21, 1942. M. s. MOORE LOADING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I] 0 a a w E w r OM e O o y o N K T i w Q N Li #3; ===m n :55 M Mm 5 f r m m. i r mm H m m n w "m o "H mm E u a Ir m L h WT f 1 H d v Q 4 a U Sq Q k w M 0 0 Q o O r M Q Search Room DRIVEN I July 21, 1942. M. s. MOORE LOADING MACHINE- Filed F'eb. 20, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 T I I l I l I i l I I l l l l 1| fiuzeidon" Y 7h. (3. Mann-L DRIVEN ch Room July 21, 1942. M. s. MOORE 2,290,480

LOADING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 e-wi e; 'moore Search Room DRIVEN July 21, 1942. M. s. MOORE LOADING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 DRIVEN Search Room 1942- M. s. MOORE 2,290,480

LOADING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1940 6' Sheets-Sheet 6 DRIVEN Patented July 21, 1942 Search Room 2,290,480

LOADING MACHINE Matthew Smith Moore, Malvern, England, as-

signor to The Mining Engineering Company Limited, Worcester, England Application February 20, 1940, Serial No. 319,981 In Great Britain February 23, 1939 9 Claims.

This invention relates to loading machines of the type comprising an endless conveyor and a rotatable-loader bar on each side of said con- The invention has for its object to build such a machine with interchangeable parts, so that with the same base plate a longer or shorter horizontal conveyor may be used, or a higher or lower discharge may be provided for.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed according to the invention and with the wall of the casing containing the driving mechanism, removed.

Figure 2 is a corresponding plan view.

Figure 2a is a cross section taken on the line L' -2 Figure 2.

Figure 3 is an outside end view as seen and projected from the left hand end of Figure 2.

Figures 4 and 5 are details showing the end of the horizontal run of the conveyor, and the raised end respectively.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the base plate of the machine on a larger scale, and showing in dotted lines the means for supporting the rising part of the conveyor, and the means for carrying the horizontal part of the conveyor.

Figure 7 is an irregular transverse section taken on the line 1 -1 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a side elevation partly in section of the base plate, showing the means for supporting the lower conveyor section, and also the means for supporting the sloping conveyor section.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the drive to the loader shaft bars.

In carrying the invention into effect, and referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the machine comprises in brief three main parts or sections:

A base plate denoted generally by A carrying the driving gear and housings for the loader bars;

An outwardly projecting horizontal lower conveyor structure 3 removably mounted on the base plate A and carrying combs for the loader bars and the horizontal portion of the endless conveyor and,

An upper structure C removably mounted on the lower structure B and carrying the sloping conveyor section. Whilst all the details of these three structures will hereinafter be described in detail it may be stated that with the above described arrangement of parts as will hereinafter appear, both the lower structure B and the upper structure C may be replaced or interchanged to suit requirements whilst leaving the base plate A with the driving gear or mechanism intact and ready to receive and support a lower structure for longer or shorter collecting means, and an upper structure for higher or lower discharge.

The base plate section A comprises a shallow horizontal tray or frame IS on which is mounted 5 a pair of cylindrical housings l6 which are adapted to receive, and form a cantilever support for, the inner ends of the rotary loader bars ll. These housings ii are carried by being passed through holes and rigidly secured in plates 20 10 which stand on edge upon the tray I5 and are welded thereto. Such housings are spaced apart as shown in Figures 6 and 7, and are arranged parallel with, and one on each side of, the con- I veyor section B. Mounted on suitable bearings within each housing is one end of a loader bar ll (Fig. 9) and the two loader bars project forward beyond the edge of the tray I5 and extend in the usual manner along and closely adjacent the respective sides of the lower conveyor section B.

The rotary loader bars are provided, according l to known practice, with adouble helical series of fingers l8, see Figure 2, which when the bar is rotating, pass between stationary comb teeth [9 as will be hereinafter referred to.

As will be seen more particularly in Figures 2 and 9, the loader bars are driven as follows: An electric motor or other prime mover 2| mounted on the tray l5 drives by worm gear 22 a cross shaft 23 carrying bevel wheels 24 which each drive a bevel wheel 25 mounted on the respective coal is stocked. The loader shafts rotate in opposite directions and with their upper sides movingilinwards towards the comb plate and the lower conveyor section B.

The lower or horizontal conveyor section B is supported from the tray I5, and it comprises a framework consisting of a pair of parallel channel irons 33 which are at one end secured to and upon the tray I5 and extend forward beyond the edge of the tray as a pair of cantilevers. For this purpose, and referring to Figures 6 to 9, the inner ends of the channel irons 33 are secured to the tray l5 by having socket plates 34, see large scale drawing Figure 9 welded on to the webs of the channel bars and complementary flanges J 35 welded on to the housings I6 of the loader bars I! and to the tray IS. A king pin 36 is passed through the flanges 34, 35 having a fixed head 36 at one end and a threaded bolt 35 forming a head at the other end by which the king pin 36 is rigidly clamped in the flanges and form a support for the end of the associated channel iron. By loosening and removing both of the bolts 36 both of the channel irons 33 may be removed and interchanged for other members which are either shorter or longer as the case may be. The channel irons 33 are arranged parallel with, and closely adjacent and inside the housings l5, and the flanges 34 and 35 are spaced apart for such a distance as will afford a firm and rigid cantilever bearing for the entire length of the channel irons extending beyond the edge of the tray. To supplement the support afforded by the flanges, saddle pieces 31 of semi-circular form are secured by welded angle bars 31' to the upper flanges of the channel irons 33 as shown in Figure 7, which saddle pieces extend outwards and engage with an easy flt the reduced ends of the housings l6. Such saddle pieces embrace somewhat more than half of the circumference of the ends of the housings and are positioned adjacent to and somewhat beyond, the edge of the tray. The two channel irons 33 with the above described attachment at one end to the tray, form the sides of a frame to support the lower conveyor section B, and such frame is completed at the other extended end by a cross tie bar 39, see the detail view Figure 4. This completes the framework for the lower conveyor section B and it will be understood that such frame with the king pins 36 may be bodily removed after dismantling the camb teeth by a longitudinal movement when the bolts 3ii are unfastened, the saddle pieces 31 being by the same movement drawn off the end of the housings IS.

The rising or the upper conveyor structure C shown more particularly in Figures 6, 7 and 8 consists of a detachable frame comprising a rising trackway 42, formed of two parallel angle irons 42' and cross plating 42', side wings 43 which are splayed outwards, and side webs or supports 44, the horizontal lower edges of which are fitted with base flanges 45, only one of which is seen in Figure 7. The side supports 44 and flanges 45 are tied together by cross diagonals 46 (see Figure 6), and there is fitted across the higher end of the trackway a cross shaft 45 carrying sprocket pinions 45 (Figure 3) arranged beneath the side flanges 42. Such a structure forms a complete sloping conveyor frame and the side supports 44 are spaced apart for a distance equal to that between the channel irons 33 of the horizontal conveyor.

To detachably mount the structure upon the channel irons 33 of the horizontal conveyor section B, the channel irons are provided with inturned angle irons 41 welded thereon, to form bearings for the angle irons 45 provided at the lower edges of the side supports of the sloping conveyor section C, and the two flanges are bolted together by bolts 48. Thus by the removal of the bolts the upper sloping conveyor frame may be bodily removed and interchanged with a sloping structure that has a higher or lower rake depending upon the desired height of discharge at the higher end. When the sloping conveyor section is thus fitted on, the lower end is in coacting relation with the horizontal conveyor section, and the lower ends of the side wings 43 are mon to both the conveyor sections B, C is an endless conveyor denoted generally by 26 which may be of any suitable flexible construction, but according to the example shown it comprises a pair of endless sprocket chains 25*, which in the case of the horizontal conveyor are each arranged adjacent to, and inside of, the channel irons 33 see Figure 7, and in the case of the sloping conveyor are each arranged beneath the angle irons 42 The sprocket chains 25* are connected by transverse bars 25 of angular cross section serving the purpose of scraping or moving the material along and which lies on the cross plating m sloping conveyor and 25 in the case of the horizontal conveyor. The outer end of the horizontal conveyor frame carries a cross shaft 38 carrying sprocket pinions 40 see Figure 4, and the sprocket chains 25 are passed around such pinions, and also around similar pinions 45 on the cross shaft 45 at the higher end of the sloping conveyor as shown in the fragmentary views Figures 4 and 5. As the two conveyor sections B and C are in alignment the upper stretch of the endless chains 25 pass from the horizontal, travel up the sloping section and after passing downward over the pinions 45', are led on their return stretch round a pair of jockey pulleys 52 carried in bearings which are under the influence of a spring or springs 53. The chains then pass round driving sprockets 24 on the shaft 23 (Figure 9) by which the conveyor is driven, after which they return to the pinions 40 at the outer end of the horizontal conveyor. The outward and return stretches of conveyor chains in the horizontal conveyor, are separated by cross plating 26, and the lower stretch is supported by cross plating 25 as seen in Figure 7. As the upper stretch of the chains pass from the horizontal to the sloping conveyor a curved guide cross plate 23 is provided, see Figure 8.

Referring particularly to Figures 2 and 9, the transverse shaft 23 which carries the two sprocket wheels 24, is extended laterally beyond the conveyor arranged above it and is fitted with a friction clutch 21 so that when desired a capstan pulley 28 may be brought into action. The shaft 28 of the capstan pulley is carried in a tubular housing 29 supported from the tray l5 by the upstanding plates 20 already referred to and driven by worm mechanism 30. The capstan pulley 28 however forms no part of the present invention and will not be further described.

It will be seen from Figure 2 that the sloping conveyor is superimposed substantially centrally above the tray l5, and the parts of the base plate which extend beyond each side of the sloping conveyor and the mechanism on the tray are covered in with a housing 3| as seen in Figure 3 fitted with cover plates 32 for the purpose of inspection, adjustment or repair.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that a loading machine is obtained which may be interchangeably fitted with a longer or shorter horizontal conveyor section and also with a higher or lower sloping section to provide for a flnal discharge from the higher end on to a truck or another conveyor as desired; the same base plate is however retained.

I claim:

1. In a loading machine of the type referred to, the combination of a base plate, a horizontal longitudinal parallel sided conveyor frame, a detachable cantilever support on the base plate to carry the conveyor frame at the base plate end, and permit the conveyor frame to extend for a distance beyond the edge of the base plate, a sloping conveyor frame, side webs arranged therebeneath and detachable means for securing the webs upon the base plate end of the horizontal-eonveyor frame, the arrangement permitting one or both conveyor sections to be interchanged 198. CONVEYERS POWER DRIVEN Search Room with other conveyor frames of different length in one case, and of a different incline or length in the case of' the other section.

2. In a loading machine of the type referred to, the combination of a base plate, a horizontal longitudinal conveyor frame, a detachable cantilever support on the base plate to carry the conveyor frame at the base plate end and permitting the remainder of the conveyor frame to extend beyond the edge of the base plate, a sloping conveyor frame, side webs arranged therebeneath and detachable means for securing the webs upon the base plate end of the horizontal conveyor frame, an endless conveyor band guided and supported in the horizontal and sloping conveyor frames and means for keeping the endless band in movement from one conveyor frame to the other and back again to the first.

3. In a loading machine of the type referred to, the combination of a base plate, a pair of channel irons spaced apart and arranged transversely above the base plate to form a horizontal conveyor frame, upstanding plates on the base plate adjacent one end of each channel iron, a pair of socket plates secured to the webs of the respective channel irons, a king pin headed at one end and threaded through the upstanding plates on the base plate, and the socket plates, and a threaded bolt forming a head to the other end of the king pin to clamp the ends of the channel irons to the upstanding plates on the base plate, such an attachment forming a detachable cantilever support for one end of each channel iron, and enabling both channel irons to overhang the edge of the base plate, a sloping conveyor frame, and detachable means for securing the sloping frame to said channel irons.

4. In a loading machine of the type referred to, the combination of a base plate, a pair of channel irons spaced apart in parallel and arranged transversely above the base plate to form a horizontal conveyor frame, upstanding plates rigidly secured on the base plate, a cylindrical housing arranged parallel with and outside each channel iron and supported by such upstanding plates, a pair of upstanding plates rigid with the base plate adjacent to and engaging with one end of each housing, and adjacent one end of each channel iron, a pair of socket plates secured to the web of each adjacent channel iron, a king pin headed at one end and threaded through the upstanding plates on the base plate and the socket plates, and a threaded bolt forming a head to the other end of the king pin to clamp the ends of the channel irons to the upstanding plates on the base plate, such an attachment forming a detachable cantilever support for one end of each channel iron, a sloping conveyor frame, and detachable means for securing the sloping frame to said channel irons.

5. In a loading machine of the type referred to, the combination of a base plate, a pair of cylindrical housings arranged in parallel, spaced apart and rigidly secured to the base plate, a pair of channel irons arranged in parallel between the housings and overhanging the base plate at one end, a detachable cantilever support on the base plate for one end of each channel iron, and a saddle piece on each channel iron engaging with one of the housings to form an additional support for each channel iron.

6. In a, loading machine of the type referred to, the combination of a base plate, a pair of cylindrical housings fixed on the base plate, a pair of channel irons arranged between, and parallel with, the housings and overhanging the base plate, a detachable cantilever support on the base plate for one end of each channel iron, a saddle piece on eachchannel iron to engage the adjacent cylindrical housing, a tie bar to tie together and span the overhung ends of the channel iro s. alqeqerebaxsa riedibr a d extendin from eac h housing adjacent to and parallel with theassociated channel iron, fingers 9n eachjoad p llar, 'a comb'plate'io'n each channel iron coacting with the loader bar fingers, and means on thebase'plate for rotatingtheloader' bars.

7. In a loading machine of the type referred" to, the combination of a base plate, a pair of channel irons spaced apart and arranged transversely above the base plate, to form a horizontal conveyor frame, a detachable cantilever support on the base plate for one end of each channel iron, a sloping conveyor frame, arranged in alignment with the horizontal conveyor frame, side webs with flanged lower edges arranged beneath the loping conveyor frame, a longitudinal flange secured to the web of each channel iron, and means for detachably fastening the lower flanged edges of the side webs to the flanges on the channel irons, such a fastening allowing the sloping conveyor frame to be removed and replaced by another conveyor having a different sloping angle or of different length.

8. In a loading machine of the type referred to, the combination of a base plate, a pair of channel irons spaced apart and arranged transversely in parallel above and to overhang, the base plate and form a horizontal conveyor frame, a detachable cantilever support on the base plate for one end of each channel iron, a tie bar to span and tie together the overhung ends of the channel irons, a rotary shaft extending across the ends of the channel irons, a sloping conveyor frame detachably mounted on the inner ends of the channel irons in alignment with the horizontal conveyor frame, a rotary shaft at the higher end of the sloping conveyor, and an endless conveyor arranged within the horizontal and sloping frames and passing from one to the other and around the rotary shafts therein provided, and means on the base plate for driving the endless conveyor.

9. In a loading machine of the type referred to, the combination of a base plate, a horizontal conveyor frame, a detachable cantilever support on the base plate for one end of the horizontal conveyor frame, a sloping conveyor frame, means for detachably mounting the sloping conveyor frame on ar '1 towards the base plate end of the horizontal conveyor frame, a rotatable shaft across the Later end of the horizontal conveyor frame and across the higher end of the sloping conveyor frame, sprocket wheels on the ends of such rotary shafts, a pair of endless sprocket chains led around the respective sprocket wheels, a series of scraper bars extended between, and attached to, the chains and fixed plates extending across the conveyor frames and over which the scraper bars move, and means on the base plate for driving the sprocket chains.

MA'I'I'H'EW SMITH MOORE. 

